Hyde Park Olympic Africa Village closes over debt dispute

Africa Village, a hospitality centre for a number of African nations competing in the Olympics was closed on Wednesday, allegedly because of thousands of pounds worth of unpaid debts. According to the BBC, Africa Village communications director Laurent Bagnis said the village owes suppliers hundreds of thousands of pounds. Bagnis said since it opened on […]

Africa Village, a hospitality centre for a number of African nations competing in the Olympics was closed on Wednesday, allegedly because of thousands of pounds worth of unpaid debts.

According to the BBC, Africa Village communications director Laurent Bagnis said the village owes suppliers hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Bagnis said since it opened on 28 July it had received 80,000 visitors. Asked if reports that £395,000 is owed were correct, he said, “We have a lot of figures. I don’t know which is right at the moment.”

He said a meeting would be held to “solve the situation”.

The village is a joint initiative of 33 African national Olympic Committees (but not South Africa, which has it’s own venue called Ekhaya).

Set up in Kensington Gardens opposite the Royal Albert Hall, Africa Village has an exhibition area, restaurant and a reception area for Games officials, athletes and sponsors.

It is unclear whether it will be reopened before the Olympic Games end on Sunday 12 August 12, when the Village had been due to officially close.

According to InsideTheGames, among the companies who have withdrawn their support of the Village because of unpaid bills is one in charge of security, which triggered its closure.